(PS11-C75) The Role of Self-compassion and Social Support in Posttraumatic Growth

Social support has been identified as one of the most consistent predictors of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Although the role of social support in the process of PTG is informative, social support is intrinsically reliant on other people. Identifying internal, potentially malleable, factors that are associated with PTG is essential for developing preventative interventions to improve trauma-related outcomes and increase levels of PTG among trauma survivors. Internal processes such as self-compassion may promote deliberate processing and meaning making which may support the development of PTG; however, this has not yet been examined in the literature. Thus, the primary aims of the current study were to: 1) examine the associations between PTG, social support, and self-compassion and 2) investigate if self-compassion has an indirect effect on the link between social support and PTG. The sample included 398 trauma-exposed adults (Mage = 30.56, SD = 10.64; 67.6% female; 68.6% white). PTG was positively correlated with social support and self-compassion (rs =.12-.14). Results revealed an indirect effect for social support and PTG via self-compassion (B = .08). These findings indicate that self-compassion may be a key internal factor relevant in understanding individuals’ propensity for growth in the aftermath of trauma.